Summer is the time of year when kids would normally go out looking for a part time job, somethng to fill their free time while they wait for school to start back up. Unfortunately, thanks to the recession, kids are less likely than ever before to find the job they want.
Many mom’s start a business out of necessity and now is the time to help our children do that as well! As mompreneurs we have learned some important lessons from the businesses we start, they are just as valuable for our children.
Here are a few ideas that might be perfect for your part-time entrepreneur:
Dog walking, car washing, and other small tasks. Small opportunities like that are perfect for seasonal work. People start washing their cars during the spring/summer to clean off the crud that collected over the winter. Neighbors in your community are likely to pay for the door-to-door service if your child decides to take on this business, over going to a car wash. If pets happen to be your child’s passion, then dog walking is always a nice option.
Small businesses such as these are also reasonably affordable to start. A few posters and a little word-of-mouth among neighbors can go a long way.
Bring them into the “family” business. Maybe they’re not ready to handle a full business on their own, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t learn some of the lessons. While your kids are home this summer you can offer them a spot within your business. They can earn a little cash, learn a little responsibility, and find out what it is like to run a real business!
Look towards the internet for the perfect business. If you have a crafty teenager, their products would make for the perfect business! Creating an online shop can allow crafty individuals to make money off the things they make. Handmade-specific websites like Etsy and artfire are a great place to start.
Photo by The Marmot